Hyderabad: After the success of 1975 World Cup, cricket fans across the world were eagerly waiting for the second edition of the multilateral tournament. This time too England hosted the grand spectacle of cricket. The World Cup was played from June 9 to June 23. Like the previous edition, eight teams participated in the tournament and they were divided into two groups. There was a new entrant as Canada replaced East Africa and played the mega event for the first time.
S Venkataraghavan led India in the tournament and most of the big names retained their places in the team. India had made a few changes in the team. Surinder Khanna was included as a wicket-keeper. It was a surprising decision as experienced wicket-keeper batsman Syed Kirmani was dropped from the team for Surinder Khanna.
1979 World Cup teams: 1. England 2. India 3.West Indies 4. Australia 5. Pakistan 6. New Zealand 7. Sri Lanka 8. Canada
While England, Pakistan, Australia and Canada were placed in Group A, defending champions West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and India were in Group B.
India vs West Indies- 1st match
This time also the World Cup opener featured India as they took on mighty West Indies, the defending champions, on June 9 at Birmingham. Winning the toss West Indies captain Clive Lloyd decided to field first. At that time, batting against West Indies bowlers was a very challenging task. Facing the intimidating fast bowlers like Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner and Colin Croft without helmet required bravery. They were fast and fierce. Sunil Gavaskar and Anshuman Gaekwad opened the innings for India. On the team's score of 10 runs, India lost their first wicket as Sunil Gavaskar was dismissed by Roberts for 8. After this, business as usual for West Indies as Indian batsmen continued to shuttle between the dressing room and the crease.
Dilip Vengsakar could not do anything special and Anshuman Gaekwad couldn't survive chest-high deliveries for long. At this stage, India were reduced to 29 for 3.
- Gundappa Viswanath played a fine knock
When big names were shivering in front of the West Indian fast bowlers, Gundappa Viswanath didn't bow down. He played them with sheer confidence. Vishy scored 75 runs with the help of seven boundaries. His innings saved India from getting dismissed for a paltry score. Riding on his half-century, India managed to post a respectable total of 190 runs on the board. Michael Holding took 4 wickets for just 33 runs in 12 overs.
- Gordon Greenidge blew away Indian bowlers
In reply, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes opened the innings for West Indies. Indian bowlers couldn't do much. The famous opening pair of Greenidge and Haynes did run feast against a weak Indian bowling attack. The opening duo built a 138-run partnership that dashed India's chance in the match. Greenidge remained unbeaten on 106 while Haynes was dismissed by Kapil Dev for 47. West Indies won by the 9 wickets with 51 balls remaining.
India vs New Zealand, second match
In their second match in the 1979 World Cup, India were pitted against New Zealand at Leeds on June 13. The Kiwis were coming to play this match on the back of a mammoth 9-wicket win against Sri Lanka. So they were confident to beat India in the World Cup for the second consecutive time. In the last edition, India had suffered a 4-wicket defeat to New Zealand.
India captain Venkataraghavan lost the toss once again and they were asked to bat first. This time opener Sunil Gavaskar played a brilliant knock of 55. Brijesh Patel (38), Kapil Dev (25) and Karsan Ghavri (20) contributed with the bat, but India failed to play allotted 60 overs for one more time as they were bowled out for 182 runs.
- Bruce Edgar's half-century and India's second consecutive defeat
In reply, New Zealand batsmen did commendable work. John Wright scored 48 before being dismissed by Mohinder Amarnath. Bruce Edgar was the highest scorer in the match scoring 84 not out. Glenn Turner, who scored 114 against India in the 1975 World Cup, scored unbeaten 43. India suffered their second consecutive defeat as New Zealand earned a convincing 8-wicket win.
India vs Sri Lanka, third match
Venkataraghavan-led India played their third match of the 1979 World Cup against Sri Lanka at a docile Old Trafford pitch in Manchester on June 16. In 1979, Sri Lanka were the winners of the inaugural ICC Trophy. By the virtue of that win, Sri Lanka, a non-Test playing team then, qualified for the World Cup for the second consecutive time. In 1975, Sri Lanka had lost their all three group matches.
But in the 1979 World Cup, Sri Lanka stunned India playing a fearless brand of cricket. Venkataraghavan won the toss for the first time in the World Cup and decided to bowl first. His decision proved to be right initially as Mohinder Amarnath gave India an early breakthrough dismissing Bandula Warnapura on Sri Lanka's score of 31. But from there on the match tilted in Sri Lanka's favour.
Sunil Wettimuny (67), Duleep Mendis (64) and Roy Dias (50) played Indian bowlers like experienced professionals which helped Sri Lanka set a daunting 239 runs target for India. Mohinder Amarnath took 3 wickets for India.
India, in reply, got off to a superb start from openers Sunil Gavaskar (26) and Anshuman Gaekwad (33). They added 60 runs from the opening wicket. But following their departures India couldn't capitalise on a good start. Sri Lankan bowlers did a fantastic job. Tony Opatha and Somachandra De Silva scalped three wickets each while Stanley de Silva got two. India were bowled out for the third time in the tournament. Sri Lanka won the match by 47 runs.
With this defeat, India's yet another forgettable campaign at the World Cup came to an end. After back to back group stage exits, India required another four years to make a comeback in this tournament.
In the final of 1979 World Cup, defending champions West Indies, who remained unbeaten in the tournament for two successive World Cups, defeated host England by 92 runs to win their second World Cup title which is still their last hurrah in ODI cricket.
Let's take a look at some of the interesting statistics from the 1979 World Cup
Highest total: West Indies - 293 for 6 vs Pakistan, The Oval
Highest run scorer: Gordon Greenidge (WI) - 253 runs
Highest individual score: Vivian Richards (WI) - 138 * vs England
Most century: Gordon Greenidge (WI), Vivian Richards (WI) –1
Most fifties: Gordon Greenidge (WI) - 3
Highest Average: Vivian Richards (WI) - 108.50
Highest Strike-Rate: Collis King (WI)- 136.00
Most sixes: Vivian Richards (WI) - 5
